A federal investigation has been launched by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The subject is an SUV. Jeep Grand Cherokees might have a design defect. There could be a lot of autos affected by the defect. About 3 million, in fact. The investigation was touched off by a petition from the Center for Auto Safety, over concerns of faulty and dangerous design of the popular SUVs. It is posited that Jeep Grand Cherokees, from more than 10 model years, have a defective fuel system that can pose a significant fire hazard.
Supposedly Jeep Grand Cherokee has awful design
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is being investigated. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched the inquiry, according to CNN. The 1993 to 2004 model years are being studied. The Center for Auto Safety says the design of the fuel tank poses a severe fire hazard. There are 172 crashes involving a fire, resulting in 254 deaths in Jeep Grand Cherokees. Chrysler responded, albeit somewhat cryptically. The business insists their autos meet all safety standards.
The alleged difficulty could be the gasoline tank
The defect in the Jeep Cherokee could be the design of the plastic fuel tank. Jeep fuel tanks of those model years are mounted behind the rear axle. They also protrude just below the bumper. This, according to the Ralph Nader-founded CAS, makes the gas tank’s neck susceptible to rupture in rear end collisions and greater risk of fire. According to ABC, the NHTSA has identified 44 crashes where cars catching fire caused more damage than the actual crash. There were also accidents where fire caused greater bodily harm than the crash. Of those, there were 55 fatalities. There were also 10 rear ending crashes were fire resulted. There were 13 deaths in rear end crashes that resulted in fire.
Jeep Cherokee stealing magic from the Pinto
There was a skid plate available for the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s fuel tank. However, it was only offered as an off road accessory. The 1999 model did just a little more. That’s when a brush guard was added. In 2005, the Jeep Grand Cherokee was redesigned with the fuel tank moved to the middle of the car. Though the problem is not the same in many respects, the greater risk to the top of the tank being sheared off is similar to the defect within the fuel tank of the Ford Pinto.
Find more info on this subject
ABC News
abcnews.go.com/Blotter/jeep-grand-cherokee-abc-station-reported-gas-tank/story?id=11473270 and page=1
CNN Money
money.cnn.com/2010/08/24/autos/Jeep_Grand_Cherokee/index.htm
